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Biomedical subjects

L Fry

Publications and source records attributed to L Fry.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Ultrastructural localization of IgA deposits in adult linear IgA disease.

Two cases of adult linear IgA disease are reported. They demonstrate the two sites of deposition of IgA at an ultrastructural level: sub-basal lamina and lamina lucida. This finding supports the view that there are subgroups of this disease. Clinical presentation and histological appearance of lesional skin are misleading, and the immunofluorescent appearance is unhelpful in predicting the ultrastructural localization of the IgA deposit.

Aged↗

Binding of wheat gliadin in vitro to reticulum in normal and dermatitis herpetiformis skin.

We have demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence that wheat gliadin binds in vitro to reticulin-like fibrils present in cryostat sections of human skin, and rat liver, kidney and stomach. Gliadin was seen to bind to fibrils throughout the dermis of both normal and dermatitis herpetiformis skin, and this was particularly striking in the dermal papillae. Serum from 2 dermatitis herpetiformis patients who did not have antireticulin antibody gave reticulin staining when retested by immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of rat tissue pretreated with gliadin. Gliadin treated sections may prove useful in screening patients with gluten sensitive enteropathy for anti-gliadin antibody. Binding of gliadin to skin sites in dermatitis herpetiformis patients and subsequent deposition of antigliadin antibody at these sites may be involved in the development of skin lesions.

Animals↗

Disodium cromoglycate in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Eleven patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, all requiring dapsone to control their rash and taking a normal diet, were given disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) 1.5-1.6 g daily. Eight out of the eleven patients continued to take DSCG for periods varying from 6-11 months, the other three patients chose to discontinue the DSCG before 6 months. Of the eight patients taking DSCG for at least 6 months, none was able to stop taking dapsone. In three of the eight, the dapsone requirements were unaltered, whilst in two it decreased and in three it increased. The mean daily dose of dapsone was 105 mg/day before DSCG and 141 mg/day after DSCG. In the eight patients who took DSCG for at least 6 months, intestinal biopsies were performed before and after this drug. The macroscopic appearance was unchanged in four, improved in two and worse in two. The mean interepithelial lymphocyte count was 346 before and 342 after DSG.

Adult↗

Anti-gliadin antibodies and small intestinal mucosal damage in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Sera from forty-six patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) were examined for anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and by a simple new immunofluorescent (IF) test. AGA were present in fifteen out of thirty-two patients taking a normal diet, but in none of the fourteen taking a gluten-free diet (GFD). The presence of circulating AGA was related to the severity of the enteropathy. AGA were present in all ten patients with a flat mucosa and in four of six with a convoluted mucosa, but in only one out of thirty patients with normal morphology of the small intestine. However, in those patients taking a normal diet and with a normal morphology of the intestine there was evidence of gluten sensitivity compared to those taking a GFD, as the intraepithelial lymphocyte count (IELC) was significantly raised in the peri-nuclear and supra-nuclear positions. The study shows that the presence of AGA in the serum is a good indication of the degree of gluten sensitivity as expressed by severe mucosal damage in patients with DH.

Adolescent↗

Hepatic injury in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Liver function tests were performed in 60 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Abnormalities of bilirubin or elevated liver enzyme levels were found in 17% of the patients. 13% had abnormal liver enzymes or elevated bilirubin levels not due to haemolysis. In 8% of patients bilirubin levels were elevated as a result of dapsone-induced haemolysis. The incidence of liver function abnormalities was higher (19%) in those on a normal diet than those on a gluten-free diet (9%). The abnormalities were not associated with the presence of immune complexes, anti-mitochondrial or anti-smooth muscle antibodies.

Dapsone↗

A comparison of IgA positive and IgA negative dapsone responsive dermatoses.

A study of thirty-three patients with a clinical diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) referred to our DH clinic over the las 11 years is reported. Twenty-six were referred by other consultant dermatologists. The diagnosis had been made by the clinical features and response of the rash to dapsone. Seventeen patients were found to have IgA in the uninvolved skin (IgA positive) and in sixteen no IgA was found (IgA negative). The duration of the rash prior to referral to the DH clinic was 3 months to 19 years (mean 5.0 years) for the IgA negative patients and 2 months to 22 years (mean 5.2 years) for the IgA positive group. The length of follow-up was 3 months to 11 years (mean 5.0 years) for the IgA negative, and 2--11 years (mean 5.6 years) for the IgA positive group. During follow-up the rash cleared completely and required no treatment in seven of the sixteen IgA negative patients. Thirteen of these sixteen patients no longer required dapsone, but six patients were receiving alternative treatment. In the three patients still taking dapsone IgA has not been found on subsequent biopsy. Of the seventeen IgA positive patients only three were able to stop dapsone during follow-up and in these three the IgA was still detected in the skin. Small intestinal mucosa was abnormal in eight of eleven IgA positive patients, but was normal in all thirteen IgA negative patients in whom jejunal biopsies were performed. An alternative diagnosis to DH has subsequently been made in thirteen of the sixteen IgA negative patients. Although the significance of IgA in the skin in DH is not known it appears to be part of the disease process. Patients who have a rash suggestive of DH and which is dapsone responsive, but in whom IgA is not found in the uninvolved skin, usually turn out to have a dermatosis other than dermatitis herpetiformis. Referral to a unit with expertise in immunofluorescence techniques of skin biopsies would appear to be helpful.

Adolescent↗

The potassium iodide patch test in the dermatitis herpetiformis in relation to treatment with a gluten-free diet and dapsone.

The potassium iodide patch test was studied in twenty-six patients with dermatitis herpetiformis. Histological assessment was found more sensitive than clinical. All of five patients with active disease and not on treatment had a positive test, whereas only two of six patients taking a gluten-free diet (GFD) and one of eight taking dapsone were positive. In another two patients taking a GFD, but in whom the diet had not been strict, the test was positive. All three patients in remission and both patients with the linear pattern of IgA (but with active disease) were negative. Immunofluorescence studies showed no difference in the presence, quantity, or distribution of immunoglobulin, complement or fibrinogen between the patch test site and uninvolved skin, or in the uninvolved skin between patients with and without active lesions.

Dapsone↗

Quantitative studies on the reactions of psoriatic epidermis to treatment.

An image-analysing computer has been used to assess the changes in the length of the dermo-epidermal junction and in the epidermal area in histological sections from psoriatic plaques in groups of patients undergoing various treatment regimes. The changes in these two features closely parallel one another, and measurement of the length of the dermo-epidermal junction may be a relatively simple quantitative method of gauging the course of the disease. Topical fluocinolone acetonide produced a greater improvement than did dithranol or coal tar. Variation in the number of epidermal mitotic figures was not a reliable guide to improvement or otherwise in the psoriatic lesion and reappearance of the granular layer can occur independently of any decrease in mitosis.

Anthralin↗

Comparison of immunoglobulin and complement deposition in multiple biopsies from the uninvolved skin in dermatitis herpetiformis.

The distribution of immunoglobulins and C3 component of complement (C3) in the skin of twenty-four patients with dermatitis herpetiformis was studied. Skin biopsies were taken from three sites, the extensor surface of the elbow, the flexor surface of the forearm and from the thigh. Twenty-two (90%) patients showed variation in deposits of immunoglobulins and C3 at the three sites. IgA was present in all patients, but differed in quantities deposited at the three sites in nineteen (80%) patients. Similar variation between sites was observed with IgG, IgM and C3. There was variation within three biopsies, IgA being absent from some sections and present in others. Three patients had a continuous pattern of IgA deposition. One had both continuous and papillary deposits within a single section. There was no difference in the incidence or quantity of immunoglobulin and C3 between the elbow, forearm and thigh. There was observed to be a diminution in quantity of IgA and incidence of C3 in patients taking a gluten-free diet. Deposition of IgA, IgM, IgG and C3 is not uniform throughout the skin and conclusions drawn from the quantity of immunoglobulin and C3 in a single biopsy may not be reliable.

Adult↗

IgA and C3 complement in the uninvolved skin in dermatitis herpetiformis after gluten withdrawal.

IgA deposits in the skin in 53 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) have been studied in relation to treatment. In 19 patients the disorder was controlled by a gluten-freen diet (GFD) alone, in 13 patients by dapsone and GFD and in 18 by dapsone alone. In 3 patients the skin disorder became insignificant and required no treatment. Of the patients taking a GFD alone, six had been clear of skin lesions for 7 years, 5 for 3--5 years, and 8 for periods of 6 months--3 years. IgA deposits were found in all patients in an initial biopsy in a second biopsy after treatment for periods varying from 1 to 7 years. There was no difference in the quantity of IgA, as assessed by the amount of fluorescence, whether patients were controlled with a GFD alone, GFD and dapsone, dapsone alone, or in those in clinical remission. The C3 component of complement was present in the skin in 3 of the 19 patients (16%) controlled by a GFD alone, 6 of the 13 patients (46%) of those controlled by a GFD and dapsone, and in 12 of 18 (66%) of the patients taking dapsone alone, and in one of the patients in clinical remission.

Adult↗